Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-17
Statuary.
by DR.. F. 3. Robinson.l

Statuary is always stately. 1t repre-
sents in stony interchangeable form the
type Of model men Of the past. New
York has more statuary than any city
in the U. S. 1t being product of long
ages, must necessarily be limited though
beautiful and attractive. The statuary
of Lincoln, Seward, Humboldt, Walter
Scott, Burns, Shakespeare and Hamil-
ton are among the first pieces of this
art. Old Ben Franklin is the best and
most natural of all. He is known too
well to need name. He stands nearly
double life size with his thinking cap
well adjusted holding in his left hand
the records Of the "Key Stone" state
The largest one in Central Park, the one
representing the sublimest specimen of
a man Of any age is that of Daniel
Webster. He is more than twice life
size, placed on smooth granite pedes-
tai. How magnificent in appearance,
how noble in his. massive being, the
very acme of physical strength and
mental power. Had he been general
in the war he would have been the idol
of every soldiers worship. But fortu-
nately he had higher mission as gener-
al in the field of vast mental forces.
Webster's great quality was vast COM
perhension with the power of clear
statement. His vigorous mental grasp
was only equaled by his definite pro-
positions. As one beholds the face of
the statue OF this great man he is con-
WINGED that Webster had clear head
and that he knew well his subject. On
this granite pedestal is chiseled part of
Webster's famous speech that saved the
Union. Liberty and Union, now and
forever, one and unseparable" mental
sublimity and physical grandeur, how
invaluable was such rare combination.
This statuary calls to the mind that no
other man has ever risen to such dis
tinguished eminence in the public
service of our nation born on the eve of
a revolution that shook the very founda-
of the civil government he beheld in
early youth the struggle of ancestry in
framing the constitution which in after
years he was the ablest defender. His
father was one of the early pioneers of
Mass, and thus his early days were
spent in the country with savages hay
ing scarcely a single place of public
instruction. AS he advanced in years
his physical debility secured for him
the tender sympathy of fostering
mother and a kind, indulgent father
The rudiments of his education were
received at home and in log school
houses. Finally his parents though
poor decided to give him college edu-
cation in order to give him equal
chances with his stronger brother In
the various preparatory institutions he
received the ieers and taunts of his
fellows from his peculiar rustic ha bits
The enterance, in his sixteenth year,
of Dartmouth college was the decisive
epoch of his life. By one turn of the
wheel of fortune he was thrown into
the current that carried him to fame
and honor. Here the spoke Of genius
soon famed into eloquence unparallel-
ed in modern times. He was, reputed,
the best debater in his class. He decid-
ed to be 81 lawyer but lack of means
obliged him to teach to procure the
furtherance of his legal studies. In the
legal profession he rose rapidly to dis
tinction becoming the central figure in
famous trials. He captured juries-over
Chaote-by appealing to them as plain
and simple men like himself who under
stood common sense but not high learn
ing. He almost took the breath away
from conservative men by breaking old
established wills. He broke the will of
Girard College which was to be carried
on witheuta faint of christianity in it.
Webster's simple argument was that the
will was not accomplishing the object of
Its donor. 1t was therefore null and
void He was a great expounder of all
broad questions. After filing various
offices of trust in his own state he was
sent to congress where his great fame
was foreshadowed. Here the distingu-
ished son of genius welded the scepter
of eloquence and debate. While in the
full splendor of his fame he was called
upon by his native state to deliver an
Grafton in homer of one of the noblest
sons that persisted during the revolution.
Then was delivered an address as
imposing and eloquent as ever fell
from human lips. Hardly had these
achievements been won when occasions
brought still more solemn duty On
the self same day two of Americas sons
had gone to rest. An eulogisn was due
from the nations they had served so
well. Webster was ever ready to give
homage to whom homage was due,
delivered that master eulogy on Jeffer-
son and Adams. His beautifully express
siye thought was that when these men
died they had just begun to live in the
hearts of their countrymen. Webster's
skirmish with Hague showed what a